Name: Alex Foster
Age: 13
School: Glenart College, Arklow, Co Wicklow

ODE TO A FOOTBALL

Oh beautiful round-shaped ball, hard rubbery but soft when flattened and punctured.
I hear the calling and shouting, as you are kicked around the pitch.
Covered in mud and dirt, you smell like grass wet in the rain.
The thud as the boot kicks you in the goal, cheers and screams of joy.
The leather bounce of your circular curve hits the post.
The bitter taste of defeat, one final kick with a sore foot control!
But disappointment for now.
A victory for my opponents, but we remain strong.